Where it grows: Black currents grow as shrubs in mountainous and wet hillsides. The general name for both black and golden currant species is Saahsiipakksini’ simaani.

How to identify: This shrub grows to be around 1.5 metres tall. The entire plant has a strong smell. The flowers grow in clusters which if pollinated turn into delicious berries.

Blackfoot: Saahsiipakksini’simaani

Food Uses:

• The fruit was used as food, and the delicious berries are commonly found today in jams and jellies.

Medicinal Uses:

• Woman treated uterine problems using a decoction of the root, which was also taken for kidney problems.